Lincoln's Diplomacy

[Don1946]

(01-14-2014 10:18 PM)JMadonna Wrote:  

(01-14-2014 10:00 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  In that book ("One War at a time") D. Mahin writes: " A last desperate effort to obtain European recognition in return for a vague promise to free the slaves was made (by the Confederate government) in early 1865."

Unfortunatelly he gives no sources for this statement. Does anyone know any details (which persons were involved/addressed; what exactly was proposed) or original sources?

Judah Benjamin was the man. He was desperately trying to convince Davis that slaves were needed to fill Lee's defense lines around Richmond. By giving them freedom for their services they would also address the biggest objection Europe had against supporting them.

Davis made the proposal to Congress who were aghast at the proposition. It was too little too late.

Benjamin and Davis sent Duncan Kenner over to Europe in December 1864 to offer eventual emancipation in exchange for recognition. Kenner did not arrive until late February and he let Slidell and Mason issue the offer to Napoleon III and Lord Palmerston. Mason could not bring himself to utter the words and he worried that he had blown the Confederacy's last chance for winning foreign recognition.